The operation is one in a series of procedures Corzine will undergo following a car crash on the Garden State Parkway last week.

Doctors at Cooper University Hospital in Camden told The New York Times they were optimistic that Corzine would make a full recovery. They said he is expected to continue breathing with the help of a ventilator until his next operation.

Corzine's three children and his girlfriend were at the hospital during the procedure, but did not make any public appearances.